Suspect charged in molestation

Police say victim was 12 years old at the time.

Police say victim was 12 years old at the time.

May 20, 2006|STAN MADDUX Tribune Correspondent

LAPORTE -- A Michigan City man could face considerable prison time after being charged with having sexual intercourse with a 12-year-old girl. Garrick Doty II, 29, of the 3900 block of Franklin Street, made his initial appearance Friday in LaPorte Circuit Court. He's charged with two counts of child molesting, with the most serious being a Class A felony punishable, if convicted, by a 20- to 50-year sentence. The other count alleging a lesser degree of sexual contact is a Class C felony, which carries a sentencing range of two to eight years. According to court documents, LaPorte County Police Detective Mark Lachmund on March 23 was assigned to investigate a complaint from the girl, who's now 13. In his findings presented to the court, Lachmund said the girl told him she was pushed face down on her bed and molested despite pleas for Doty to stop. At some point, the girl told investigators she managed to elbow Doty, which got him off her, according to court documents. The alleged offense happened Aug. 29 at a home in LaCrosse where Doty also lived at the time. On April 11, Doty during police questioning admitted having sexual contact with the girl but denied the actions were forced. He was returned to the LaPorte County Jail and held on $10,000 cash only bond. Doty was given a Nov. 13 trial date.